Silent but Deadly: The Chevrolet Colorado ZH2

It makes sense that the US Army is the only party who has access to the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2. Whoever is behind the wheel of this super-truck is the veritable king of the road—an important title when you are engaged in desert warfare.

Specs

The ZH2 is very big, as any proper war machine should. At six-and-a-half feet tall and seven feet wide, this is one intimidating truck. And sitting on 37-inch tires with a “specially modified suspension,” it’s able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! …Well, not really. But it has no trouble negotiating difficult desert terrain.

Design

Despite the belittling effect its size might have on the enemy, the ZH2 is designed for stealth. This is where its unique powertrain comes into play.

Power

A state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel cell powers the ZH2. The Army has employed the truck to study whether hydrogen fuel-cell technology can provide “near-silent operation” and “reduced thermal signatures” — two qualities essential for stealth. Fuel cells also provide high torque, important for off-road operation. The Army is even studying how to use the H2O by-product in the field.

Charlie Freese, the man who oversees all things fuel cell at GM, said the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 is “a terrific example of GM’s engineering and design skill.” It’s hard not to agree.